DRUNKEN DRIVER GETS PRISON TERM IN INCIDENT

A 44-year-old East Hartford man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to nearly running over nine members of the Windsor Fife and Drum Corps in September.

William Miller, formerly of 40 Pheasant Lane, East Hartford, on Thursday pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated and second-degree failure to appear.

Enfield Superior Court Judge Jonathan J. Kaplan sentenced Miller to a two-year term, suspended after eight months, with a 120-day mandatory minimum and probation for three years. His license will be revoked by the state Department of Motor Vehicles for at least three years, Kaplan said.

As part of his probation, Miller must serve 100 hours of community service, submit to random urine tests and participate in any recommended treatment, and he must not drive while his license is revoked. Kaplan also ordered Miller to give $1,000 to a charitable organization or perform an additional 100 hours of community service during the last two years of his probation.

Windsor police arrested Miller in September after his car nearly hit members of a drum corps during the Revolutionary Windsor 2001 festivities.

Witnesses said the Windsor Fife and Drum Corps had just finished performing at the First Church of Windsor when the group's color guard attempted to cross Palisado Avenue. A car came speeding by, barely missing members of the group.

Assistant State's Attorney Christopher Parakilas said when the car was stopped on Route 75, Miller fell out of the car to the ground. When Miller was taken to the police station, he told police he had been drinking, Parakilas said.

According to court records, police found two partially consumed bottles of vodka and literature from Alcoholics Anonymous in the car.

Attorney Charles D. Hines said his client's alcohol problems have cost him his 19-year job with the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and his mariage. His wife is divorcing him.

Hines said Miller understands what caused him to stray from his Alcoholics Anonymous treatments last year and knows staying with the group is the best way to avoid trouble. "He told me he's just grateful that no one got hurt," Hines said.